Winter is the forgotten season at Green Bay Botanical Garden.  Once Garden of Lights is over the crowds disappear, the lights come down, and the Garden resumes its peaceful winter calm.  But don’t make the mistake in thinking that there is nothing to see here this winter!  Stop by on a sunny afternoon and you’ll be amazed by the activity:  the icicles drip slowly and quietly while the chickadees, nuthatches, and finches pick seeds from the bird feeder; the hawk soars in search of mice who are brave enough to peek their heads above the snow; wild turkeys strut through the flower beds like they own the place, scraping the ground in hope of finding fallen seeds or berries.  Chances are you won’t see the shy red fox, but signs of his nightly adventures fill the woods – how far can you follow his tracks?  Snow clings to the ornamental grasses where the breeze hasn’t blown strong enough to shake it off, the crabapple trees and winterberry bushes show brightly and cheerfully against the winter snow, and the Cottage looks especially beautiful covered in newly fallen snow.

To make this beautiful season available to more viewers, Green Bay Botanical Garden is now open Monday – Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm this winter beginning on January 4th.  Stop in to take a winter walk, blaze your own cross-country ski trail past the pond, or venture through the prairie on snowshoes.  Bring a sled and the kids and carve out a toboggan run on the Belvedere hillside.  Attend one of our newly added Saturday morning education classes then enjoy lunch and an afternoon hike.  If you need another incentive, register for the Winter Walking Club at the admissions desk.  Each time you venture into the Garden this winter you’ll earn points towards discounts on memberships, education classes, or in the Trellis Gift Shop.

Don’t let this winter wonderland be “forgotten”.  Discover the joy of the winter garden at Green Bay Botanical Garden – it will make the wait for spring much more enjoyable!